85 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472

    This painting is based on a performer I saw play tango in Madrid last year. Needless to say, it was a memorable night.

    I spent last week visiting my brother in Colorado. He lives in a really neat log cabin tucked away at the base of the Rockies. I slipped away long enough to do a quick watercolor sketch.

    The week prior, I had the opportunity to travel to Northern New Mexico to prepare for a trip I will be taking to the area with students in May. Though it was a very busy few days on the move, I did get to paint from my hotel window in Los Alamos one morning. I loved watching the colors of the hillsides change with the rising sun.

    I seldom travel without my watercolor set. Even if I don't have time to use it, at least I know I can if the timing is right. I've used this same Winsor & Newton set for seven or eight years now. It folds up to about the size of a half sandwich, so I can easily keep it with me without much thought or hassle.

    Spring hasn't quite hit the Rockies or the painted desert like it has here in the Midwest.  It felt great to come home to Redbud blossoms, rich green grass, and cheery daffodils.

    Virginia has gradually been giving me, the artist-granddaughter, her exceptionally rich library of art books. I am beyond grateful for these gifts and love thinking of her as I study each one. She approaches her art with the attitude that there is always more to learn. I know that Sorolla, Hals, Wyeth and all the other new friends on my bookshelf have infinite lessons to teach and I feel totally humbled to have been entrusted with them. Thank you Grandma!

I was given a dreamy new Raphael Kolinsky sable watercolor brush for my birthday (thanks Aunt Patty!) and I was SO thrilled to try it out on this painting. I'm tempted to toss every other brush I own. Putting down a wash with this #12 round is so effortless, it has changed everything!

I've had the pleasure of working with Craig Savoye on a few other projects and was excited to get a call from him last week with a design project for me. He is striking out into the world of online publishing and needed a "cover" for his new book. Cowboys, Ranchers, and Assorted Characters is available for purchase as an eBook through Barnes and Noble. Savoye's writing is heartfelt, fun, and sure to entertain!

    I've been out of school for a year and a half now. So far, my favorite part of being a RISD alumna has been keeping up with friends from school and hearing about their new adventures in the world of art, design, publishing, and beyond. I love cheering them on and it's great to be on the receiving end of that support too. My friend Nicole Gsell is a devoted and talented illustrator and designer and has been instrumental in launching Pinwheel Books. I was thrilled when she asked if I'd like to be featured on her blog as part of Pinwheel's Artist Spotlight Series.  Here is the glowing write up she put together: http://pinwheelbooks.com Thanks so much, Nicole! And thank you for stopping by.